Fuentes lost $1.45 million, but not his edge

Tucson — Brian Fuentes lost his job as the Rockies closer last season, and he just lost an arbitration hearing that cost him $1.45 million.

What Fuentes hasn’t lost is his edge. Or his confidence.

“I think having people say, ‘Are there hard feelings?’ or, ‘Are you worried about coming back in to work with these people?’ ” Fuentes said Sunday morning. “But mentally, I feel I’m strong enough to overcome all this. That’s what made me successful as a closer. Those things aren’t going to tarnish my mental strength. I can work through anything.”

The left-hander is quite aware that the Rockies are sold on Manny Corpas as their closer. And he knows that the club is jazzed about its acquisition of Luis Vizcaino to share the set-up role with Fuentes.

But with a stern tone of voice, Fuentes made it clear he still believes he’s got the talent of a closer, even if the Rockies will pay him $5.05 million instead of the $6.5 million he sought in arbitration.

“There’s not an ounce of quit in me,” he said. “Every time I go out, I’m going to do my thing. That’s just the way I was taught to play the game. So I don’t worry about what was said or anything like that. It’s time to move on. I look forward to getting the ball in my hand. I’m not a businessman. I’m not a lawyer. Now that that stuff is out of the way, it’s time to do what I do best.”

Fuentes anticipates pitching in the seventh and eighth innings. He doesn’t anticipate being used as a specialist against lefties.

“It’s not more difficult or easier or anything,” he said. “My job is to come in and get guys out. I’ve been saying that from day one when I was closing, when I was setting up, and my whole career. So whatever role they plan on using me in is totally up to them. I’m their pawn. Let me know what you want me to do and I’ll do it.”

The Rockies bullpen looks very promising. Corpas, Fuentes and Vizcaino could lock down the game after the sixth inning. One question is whether Vizcaino was overused last year. Still, he’s younger than Hawkins and has just as good of stuff. If Fuentes can swallow his pride a bit, he’ll be able to parlay his talent into a nifty contract, probably with another team.

T. Michael

The Rockies bullpen looks very promising. Corpas, Fuentes and Vizcaino could lock down the game after the sixth inning. One question is whether Vizcaino was overused last year. Still, he’s younger than Hawkins and has just as good of stuff. If Fuentes can swallow his pride a bit, he’ll be able to parlay his talent into a nifty contract, probably with another team.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.